How to replace the toilet: dismantling the old and installing a new one yourself

Properly installed plumbing equipment can work for years. However, everything has a certain service life and the time comes when it becomes clear that the replacement of the toilet is inevitable. For many, this procedure does not cause much trouble: you just need to call one of several dozen companies engaged in the provision of plumbing services, and the craftsmen will carry out all the work in a matter of hours. However, for a number of reasons this may not be possible and then the equipment will have to be changed on its own.

What do you need to prepare before work?

First of all, you should buy a new toilet. To do this, you need to deal with the design and dimensions of the old. We measure the room in detail and carry out a simple drawing, on which we indicate the installed toilet and the sewer and water pipes brought to it. Check the angle of the sewer neck. It is usually 45 °, but it is better to verify this again. If such work is to be carried out for the first time, and there is very little experience, you can take a picture of the design by phone before going to the store to consult with the seller about the type of new device.

Choosing a new toilet bowl on the basis of the drawing and the photo will be much easier. We pay attention to the dimensions of the device, shape and design features. On sale you can find appliances with different depths and shapes of the bowl, the slope of the drain hole and flush designs. Do not forget about the design. Among the various shades and materials, you should choose the best option for your room. With other identical parameters of the device, it is worth giving preference to equipment from well-known companies that produce better products.

A marker is needed for marking the structure. It is lowered into the mounting holes and applied to the floor marks under the holes, then the device is circled

In addition to the toilet, you should purchase a small set of items necessary for installation:

• Water hose. Its length is measured by the old part, the new one is taken with a small margin.
• Mounts for the toilet. They can come complete with equipment, if not, they need to be purchased.
• A flexible corrugated pipe or corrugation that connects the toilet to the sewer.
• Cistern. Check the configuration of the tank. If the drain system is not included, it will have to be purchased separately.

You will also need silicone, but not acrylic, sealant, white or transparent, as well as fum tape and gaskets for water pipes.Tools can not do without a punch with a set of drills, it can be replaced with a hammer drill with drills, a hammer, a set of screwdrivers and wrenches, a marker, a sharp knife and chisel. Having prepared everything you need, you need to think about how to remove the old toilet.

Dismantling the old structure

Before starting work, it is worth preparing buckets and a large number of rags. We start by disconnecting the water pipe from the drain tank from the device. If possible, drain all the water and unscrew the tank. The toilet is ready for dismantling. If he is already very many years old, then most likely he was installed on the solution. In this case, you need to prepare for the fact that the whole device can not be removed. Especially if its neck is packed with rags with paint.

Among the recommendations how easier it is to remove the toilet, you can find advice to start work with the sewer. It really is. It is best to hit the throat hard and, splitting it, disconnect the device from the pipe. In addition, vibration from shock somewhat shakes the base of the structure, fixed in a solution, which will facilitate further work. Important Note: Do not hit directly through the sewer. If it is cast iron, and this happens in most cases, it is very easy to split, which will lead to additional problems.

The fragments of the old toilet should be carefully removed. We clean the neck of the sewer from pollution, otherwise it will be impossible to carry out high-quality sealing of the new device

Having broken the neck, we begin to disconnect the device from the floor. If it does not lend itself to swaying and does not move, we take a hammer and with a chisel we begin to break off the structure from the base. It is possible that as a result of these works, water will flow from a broken device. It must be collected with a rag in a bucket. We break off the fragments of the toilet bowl, remove the remnants of the solution in which it was fixed and, if possible, equal the floor. We clean the edge of the sewer from fragments of the neck. It is best to do this with old screwdrivers or use a chisel. The operation is performed very carefully so as not to damage the pipe.

Ways to install new equipment

After dismantling the old toilet, the floor should be repaired, if it was supposed to, or just maximally level it before installing new equipment. There are several ways to install a toilet.

Method # 1 - installation on taffeta

This is a traditional way of mounting a toilet. For him, you need taffeta, the so-called hardwood board, carefully proliferated. It is laid on the floor under the base of the device so that it is flush with the floor or slightly raised above it. The wooden base should be firmly fixed to the anchors and pour the resulting excavation with cement mortar. After the surface is completely dry, you can proceed to install the device.

Taffeta, a carefully proliferated hardwood board, is installed on the floor in a place intended for the toilet. A layer of solution is applied over it.

The release of equipment is connected to the fan pipe, then to the pipe bell of the sewer system. All joints are sealed and sealed with tow. The equipment is installed in the right place and firmly fixed with screws, rubber washers must be laid under the heads of which. The drain tank is mounted and the system is checked for leaks. The device is ready to go. It should be noted that this method of dismantling and installing the toilet is perhaps the most time-consuming in comparison with others.

Method # 2 - adhesive bonding

As practice shows, plumbing equipment can be installed using epoxy glue. For this, contact surfaces should be carefully prepared. They are cleaned and degreased with white spirit, solvent or acetone. They are roughened, degreased and dried repeatedly.

After connecting the outlet of the device and the sewer system, an even thin layer of epoxy adhesive is applied to the supporting surface. The toilet is installed in a prepared place and is pressed against the floor with force. Then they are kept until the glue has completely hardened, which will happen no earlier than in 12 hours.

Method # 3 - mounting on dowels

Mounting the toilet on the dowels involves fixing the device directly to the floor, without first installing any design under its base

The most practical way to change the toilet can be considered the method of mounting on dowels. In the course of work, the following operations will be performed:

• Trying on the device. We install a toilet bowl on the prepared base and check the coincidence of the height of the neck and sewer, the angle of inclination, etc. If there are inconsistencies, we make the necessary adjustments.
• Mark up the design. We measure the width of the room, we find the middle or axis of the toilet. We install a device on it at a distance of 10-15 cm from the socket of the sewer. We insert the marker into the mounting holes and make marks for the holes, circle the base.
• We collect the drain tank. In accordance with the instructions, we assemble the device, after which we attach it to the toilet. For complete confidence in the quality of the work performed, you can reinstall the device in place, connect it to the sewer and water supply and conduct a test run. After making sure that everything is in order, we drain the water and continue to carry out work on replacing the toilet with our own hands.
• Cooking mounting holes. Using a hammer drill or hammer drill holes in the designated places. We hammer in them plastic expansion bolt shields.
• We pressurize the corrugation. We wipe the pipe dry with a rag and apply silicone on the edges of the gum, which will be hidden in the sewer, with a plentifully wavy strip. A similar operation is carried out from the opposite end of the corrugation, lubricating the area worn on the neck of the toilet.
• We connect the device to the sewer. We put the corrugation to the edge of the elastic in the sewer pipe, and on the other hand we firmly put it on the release of the equipment. We put a special rubber gasket on the toilet seat, which was previously outlined with a marker, or apply a thick layer of silicone.
• Install the equipment. We put the device in the prepared place, press and fasten it to the floor. Excess silicone squeezed during installation is removed with a wet finger, passing it along the contour of the device.

Installation is complete. You can conduct a test run of water. If the work is carried out correctly, the tank is filled to the desired level and the flow of fluid stops. Overflow does not occur. After draining the water, the cycle repeats. You should also check that the equipment does not leak anywhere. If so, then the installation can be considered successfully completed.

Recommendations on how to change the toilet with your own hands are quite simple. They can be performed even by a novice plumber. It is necessary to carefully study the instructions, prepare everything necessary and without haste to carry out all the stages of installation. The result will please all households. A properly installed toilet will reliably serve them for many years.